I bought my S40 end April 2002. A few tips for users. If you can bear it, opt for slow shutter speed and keep your ISO at 50 or 100. 400,while it's nice to have for action shots, makes for "grainy" images. The difference in clarity between 50 and 400 is staggering. I didn't find the "night scene" option that useful as it typically only seems to open the shutter for 1 second. I've found it easier to use shutter priority mode and set my own shutter speed and have taken some great night scenes with fill flash in the foreground. For night scenes without flash the option of long shutter speeds with the S40 is super. It uses available light VERY well at night. Don't be afraid to play with the flash exposure either. I've got better results at parties at night/people shots at night by not going on full auto, but hitting program mode and turning the flash exposure down half a stop and shooting on 100 ISO. The faces don't get overexposured and you minimise red eye. That tiny flash is very savage, especially if you're using a high ISO; it tends to overexpose left to its own devices if your subject is at relatively close range. Digital zoom on the S40 is passable but it would be great to see Canon bring out a camera with the same features but with 6x zoom. I miss the length as I'm used to SLR photography and do quite a bit of wildlife photography with long lenses. However as an everyday camera or digital backup for someone whose used to carrying SLR gear, the S40 provides a keen photographer with a LOT of creativity. I'm very impressed and in fact haven't picked up my SLR since I got the S40.
Problems:
Lever that holds battery in place doesn't work very well.
Camera got a very mild bump and refused to function - unusual for a device with such a solid build. Traced the problem to a tiny plastic lever at the base of the battery holding lever. Time for warranty repair I guess. I got it going by flicking the tiny lever over on its spindle and it's fine now but I'll still get it checked out. Apparently dodgy battery holding levers are a kinda common occurrence.
Problems:
Lever that holds battery in place doesn't work very well.
Camera got a very mild bump and refused to function - unusual for a device with such a solid build. Traced the problem to a tiny plastic lever at the base of the battery holding lever. Time for warranty repair I guess. I got it going by flicking the tiny lever over on its spindle and it's fine now but I'll still get it checked out. Apparently dodgy battery holding levers are a kinda common occurrence.